RNIB

RNIB are delighted to be back at 100% Optical, at Excel London this weekend. Preeti Singla, Louise Gow and Jayshree Vasani will be hosting workshops on the role of optometrists and dispensing opticians within the Eye Care Support Pathway. You can visit us at stand E48 where you canto find out more how our resources and training can help you better support your patients with sight loss. [Image description: We’re attending 100% Optical 1 - 3 March 2025 Excel, London Visit stand E48. Pink graphic with the RNIB logo in the bottom right.]

Coffee with my younger self: blind girl edition. Thank you to Holly Tuke for sharing her thoughts and experiences. We got chills. [Video description: A series of photos of Holly from childhood to now. 1. Holly in her 20s with long brown hair and a fringe. She stands smiling outside a building with a column and plants, wearing a black puffer coat, cross body bag and black rimmed glasses. 2. Holly as a child in her house. Still with her trademark fringe, but it's lighter and fairer. Her glasses are oval shaped and she wears a light coloured t-shirt. 3. Holly as a young teen, her long brown hair and a fringe shines in the camera flash, which also illuminates her blue eyes. She wears rectangular glasses and a blue and purple stripy top. 4. Holly with her degree, in full graduation garb, outside a grand old church-like building. 5. Holly now, in front of the sea and cliffs at sunset. There's greenery behind her. She wears a denim jacket, black top and black leggings with pink splodges. 6. Holly in front of a green lined with trees on a summer's day. She wears a summer maxi dress in back, pink and white speckles, and dark sunglasses. She looks happy. Transcript: I met my younger self for coffee this morning, or in our case hot chocolate, because neither of us like coffee. Unpopular opinion, I know. She was 10 minutes late, I was on time. She was scared that she'd never embrace using her long cane. I showed her my purple cane and told her that before she knew it, it'd all click into place. Her cane would become an extension of her, and one day she'd be on the waiting list for a guide dog. She admitted that she could never imagine loving her disability. I reminded her that acceptance is a journey. I told her that when she was a few years older, she'd find the disabled community. Oh, how transformative that would be! She was tormented by anxiety that she couldn't fulfil her ambitions of going to university and getting a job. I reminded her not to let people's misconceptions get in the way of her taking on the world. I smiled and said: "You'll soon learn that it feels good to prove those people wrong." She worried she'd always be in the shadows of her sighted peers. I told her that everyone is writing their own story. Hers might look different at times, but each chapter will write itself. She told me that she'd never find her true self. I told her that she's never been more confident and happy in herself than right now. She told me that she loves writing. I told her that writing will help to shape her future. She'll start a blog which will present her with opportunities she could have only ever dreamt of. All of that will lead to her working in the world of social media, supporting blind and partially sighted people just like her. That will be the making of her. We hugged before one last pep talk from me. I told her that she's going to shine bright. My final words: "You're a force to be reckoned with. It's going to be OK."]

We’re excited to be working with Community Rail Network (CRN) and Motability Foundation on a new innovative project that could make a real difference for blind and partially sighted and disabled people travelling by train. Motability Foundation has awarded grant-funding to us and CRN to explore the effectiveness of disability training received by rail staff, and work with the rail sector to develop innovative new models of raising disability awareness. We know from our previous Motability Foundation funded research project that 35% of blind and partially sighted people are not able to make the journeys on public transport they want, when they want to. The two-year project will focus on supporting rail staff to improve how they communicate with and assist disabled people, with the ultimate aim of making rail travel more accessible for disabled travellers. Working alongside CRN, the project will involve initial research into existing training for rail staff and the experiences of disabled people when travelling by train. This will engage a large number of stakeholders, including disabled people, disability organisations, train operating companies and industry bodies. We’ll then use the research findings to develop and pilot new innovations that address disability awareness and assistance for disabled passengers on the railways. We believe the opportunities this project will create will make a real difference in this area.

Has #LondonFashionWeek given you all the beauty and fashion inspo? If so, we’ve got you covered with this throwback video from our very own Jane who talks about her love of style and audio describes the iconic outfit she wore to Copenhagen Fashion Week last year. [Video transcript: Jane: Now, as a deaf blind woman, it's always intrigued me why I love fashion the way I do. Why I love the concept of colour, why I love the idea of structured shape and why fashion generally - whether that's the hair I style with it, the shoes I wear, the bags I carry, or the dresses I choose to buy - why they make such a difference to me. Because it's not a common concept, the idea of someone who has no sight, like me, using fashion as an expression of their identity. Voiceover: Jane is here to audio describe the outfit she wore to Copenhagen Fashion Week. Jane: This image shows Jane Manley, a white female with long blonde hair and a fringe, standing in the Opera Park at Copenhagen. She's standing on a gravel path and has greenery behind her. Jane is wearing a long maxi dress with long sleeves and a collar covered in weather symbols that show rainbows, clouds, sunrises, all in a slightly cartoonish way, and the colours are pale blue, cream, pink, orange, red and darker orange. She's wearing a pair of metallic pink brogues with a old snaffle bit across the bridge of the foot, and her cane has a pink golf handle, accentuating the pink in her outfit.]

Since so many enjoyed this over on Threads, we thought you might like to know what overusing emoji's can sound like too. You're welcome. 👏 [Image description: A screenshot of our Threads post from RNIB saying "If your post is 17 clown face emojis long, just know a screen reader says “clown face” out loud 17 times. 🤡"]

“This is my way of giving back for the support they gave my son.” For 20 years, Archie MacGregor has laced up his running shoes - not just for the love of running, but to give back. Archie’s son was part of RNIB Scotland’s youth group, where he gained confidence and independence through rock climbing, abseiling, and water sports. That support made a lasting impact and Archie has never stopped running to show his gratitude. This April, he’ll be taking on his 20th marathon in 20 years at the London Marathon, bringing him closer to his incredible £26,200 fundraising goal—mirroring the 26.2-mile marathon distance. His running challenges have taken him around the world, from New York to Tokyo, Boston to Berlin, but this one is extra special. Archie, and every runner taking on the London Marathon with #TeamRNIB, are making a huge difference for blind and partially sighted people. If you’d like to support Archie’s fundraising, visit: rnib.in/TeamRNIB_Archie [Image Description: Archie, a man in his 50s, is striking a victorious pose on top of North Berwick Law. He's wearing bright neon running gear, including a pink and green RNIB shirt, neon socks, and shoes.]

In our latest Voice of the Customer survey, we want to hear from blind and partially sighted people about their experiences on things like eye care, getting around, and financial inclusion. This research will help us understand the areas that most impact blind and partially sighted people and inform our work and campaigns. Make your voice heard, complete our survey: surveymonkey.com/r/XWWQQ7X [Image description: “Today’s to do list. Buy guide dog food, cup of tea and a little treat, complete RNIB’s Voice of the Customer survey.’ The to do list is written on what looks like a scrap of paper pulled out from a note book.]

What we’re trying to say, alt text, is that we like you very much. Just as you are. xoxo [Image description: 'Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy' film poster. 'Boy' is scribbled out and 'alt text' is written underneath so it reads, 'Mad About the Alt Text'. Bridget, a blond haired woman, sits with legs stretched out in front, crossed at the ankles. She's smiling towards the camera above her while holding a red diary in her lap.]

If the RNIB Social Media Team wrote the EastEnders 40th Anniversary Special. An iconic doof doof? To write total alt text: Upload an image to your post>select "Add alt text">add your descriptive text to the edit box>click "next" to complete your post. [Image Description: Screenshots of the legendary character Kat Slater from EastEnders. In the top image, Kat sits calmly next to a nun. It reads, "I didn't start using a little bit of alt text." In the bottom image, Kat is shouting, she looks like she's almost growling, and it reads: "I used total alt text."]

RNIB Scotland’s Inclusive Design for Sustainability (IDS) Conference returns to Glasgow Science Centre on 17 and 18 March 2025, bringing together global tech giants and accessibility advocates to explore the future of inclusive design. It will explore how cutting-edge technologies can create more inclusive public spaces, transform travel experiences, and redefine AI and robotics - all through the lens of accessibility for blind and partially sighted individuals.   Sponsored by @google, the Conference will also feature other leading technology companies such as Microsoft and Starship Technologies, who will join a lineup of renowned keynote speakers and expert panels.   More info and tickets: https://lnkd.in/ejVNc7hu [Image descriptions: Image 1: Barry and Ken from RNIB Connect Radio chat next to a large LED Conference logo. Image 2: A guide dog stares at its metal robot equivalent at the 2023 Conference. Image 3: RNIB Scotland Director James Adams speaking from a podium at the 2023 Conference. Image 4: An outside shot of the venue - Glasgow Science Centre - with RNIB Scotland branding.]